An article my son came home from school with

[Rosie the Riveter]

Michael,  your words cut deep but I have to admit that you are 100% correct.  When I was going to write, of course I don't trust the government with my kids, I got a slap across the face with my own words, if I don't trust the government with my kids then why the hell am I sending them to a government institution? 
The hardest part of all of this is that the kids really are enjoying school, this move was hard on them, losing friends and family and I somewhat feel responsible to "make" them happy. Lord, I am in for a fight with my family (husband and kids) on this one, but I haven't felt right about leaving them in someone elses hands since we moved here.  Any advice?  I posted questions about homeschooling on another topic, I guess I will contact some people and see if I can make sure they can have more social events with other kids before I fight with my husband on this one.

Everyone may disagee with me, but I think it is fair to give your children the choice of what school if any they want to attend.  Many of my friends think I am strange but I give my children the choice. I help to guide that choice but do not make the choice for them.  My children have homeschooled, public schooled, and private schooled, and understand that learning does not end in the classroom and that I am the "go-to" person for any and all quesitons. I would encourage you to do what is right for your children, and to consider their needs and wants. I see children as individuals with rights and responsibilities.

[Rochelle]

When I was homeschooling 4 of my kids in Maryland for 3 years, I ran into alot judgemental parents that hated public schools and their kids would stick their tongues out at "public school idiots", that's exactly what the parents would call them, (therefore so did their children)  and I spoke out against it and they ended up not liking me.

I'm really bad about this, to be honest. I like to joke that it's likely I wouldn't know some pretty obvious things as I'm a public school graduate and pretty much rag on them. But I can't help it. It's hard when you go about day to day life and realize how lacking your schooling was and how it really did very little to prepare you for the real world and how so many kids who have been through schools aren't willing to do anything but let themselves be spoonfeld or told what to do. It's aggravating and even worse when you see similar characteristics in yourself.
I've just graduated from college and am beginning the process of "deschooling" myself. I hope to complete it before I have my own kids that way they'll have more freedom to decide what they want to learn and how they want to learn it themselves and in their own way. I'm worried I'll be sitting there nervous they aren't learning what they should or that sort of thing.
At the same time, I want them to have the choice of going to school if they want to...I don't want to forbid it and act like it would ruin them. It might, but past a certain degree, it's their choice.

I'm just glad I looked into homeschooling waaay before I have kids

[Raineyrocks]

Jane,  I have been considering picking up the bible again too.  In the past everytime I've read it I've gotten more and more confused  though.  It's like the old testament is so full of violence and contradictions then you go to the new testament and it's all nice and makes more sense, so what testament are you supposed to believe or live by, because at the end of the new testament it basically says you can't add or take away anything in the whole bible.  It drives me nuts!  I was thinking maybe of going with some of Jesus's teachings and buddism (which alot of his teachings are so similar to anyway).
I have trouble finding peace in this world to so I guess to start finding it in yourself first is the most important step then the world's crap won't affect us as much.  I know I won't be going to church, that's for sure.
Castle_chaser,  I do agree with you and kids do have to be taught we are the "go-to" people (parents, I mean).  I remember my son who is 18 now came home from school when he was in 5th grade with crisis-hotline phone numbers all over in his binder and I asked him where he got them from, he said "the teachers passed them out in health class". I took them all out of there and ripped them up and told him it's just another way to get your parents in trouble if they yell at you, or if you get mad at them because you can't get what you want, hey let me make up something and turn them in. I also told him if your having a "crisis" talk to me, dad, your older sister, your aunt, not some stranger with an agenda who doesn't even know you.  I have to admit out of all of the classes my kids ever had in school, I would grill them about health class the most.  Kids have been give too many "powers" to get even with parents, and some of them are not old enough to understand the true consequences of these actions, because they don't teach that, that's for sure.  These kids that beat up their parents, don't listen, little creeps is what I call them have been taught they can get away with most of these actions or they will threaten to report their parents on something bogus or stupid.  These crisis hotlines, I looked them up on the net and read some stuff in their forum, they tell kids that parents should not be yelling ever or it's verbal abuse. Give me a break!
I remember this little 5 year old, (it was in the news years ago), was asked if his parents smoked anything that looked like a joint (they showed him a picture) and he said, " oh yeah , they do". Well their house was raided, they found pot and plants, locked his parents up and he went into foster care.  I am sure at 5 that kid didn't know what would happen if he answered the question asked.
Rochelle, you will be an awesome parent when your ready, I'd put a bet on it!

[Rosie the Riveter]

When I was homeschooling 4 of my kids in Maryland for 3 years, I ran into alot judgemental parents that hated public schools and their kids would stick their tongues out at "public school idiots", that's exactly what the parents would call them, (therefore so did their children)  and I spoke out against it and they ended up not liking me.

I'm really bad about this, to be honest. I like to joke that it's likely I wouldn't know some pretty obvious things as I'm a public school graduate and pretty much rag on them. But I can't help it. It's hard when you go about day to day life and realize how lacking your schooling was and how it really did very little to prepare you for the real world and how so many kids who have been through schools aren't willing to do anything but let themselves be spoonfeld or told what to do. It's aggravating and even worse when you see similar characteristics in yourself.
I've just graduated from college and am beginning the process of "deschooling" myself. I hope to complete it before I have my own kids that way they'll have more freedom to decide what they want to learn and how they want to learn it themselves and in their own way. I'm worried I'll be sitting there nervous they aren't learning what they should or that sort of thing.
At the same time, I want them to have the choice of going to school if they want to...I don't want to forbid it and act like it would ruin them. It might, but past a certain degree, it's their choice.

I'm just glad I looked into homeschooling waaay before I have kids

I agree with raineyrocks -- you will be a wonderful parent, Rochelle, though it is a very challenging job

The first and most important fact is that you are considering education, the options and what your child may want.  It seems to depend on the child and their expectations of "school". My oldest daughter who has been in and out of schools, now realizes that learning is ongoing and not only done in school therefore she can go to school and enjoy it for what it is.  Yes, she attends a fairly rigorous private school, but she is always researching, writing and learning at home as well.

Every child is different and yours will be different too. We are just so lucky to have intelligent people that we can discuss these issues with.

Kate

[David]

Raineyrocks, I apologize.  I though some of my statements would be perceived as condemnations, and I couldn't think of any other way at the time to try to soften the appearance.  I knew when I wrote the guilt thing that I should not have.
I did not mean for anything to be personal. 
I am happy that you are concerned for your childs wellbeing, and wouldn't wish it any other way. 
I encourage you to do the right thing and ignore people who write or say negative things(like me  ).

[Rosie the Riveter]

Castle_chaser,  I do agree with you and kids do have to be taught we are the "go-to" people (parents, I mean).  I remember my son who is 18 now came home from school when he was in 5th grade with crisis-hotline phone numbers all over in his binder and I asked him where he got them from, he said "the teachers passed them out in health class". I took them all out of there and ripped them up and told him it's just another way to get your parents in trouble if they yell at you, or if you get mad at them because you can't get what you want, hey let me make up something and turn them in. I also told him if your having a "crisis" talk to me, dad, your older sister, your aunt, not some stranger with an agenda who doesn't even know you.  I have to admit out of all of the classes my kids ever had in school, I would grill them about health class the most. 

Oh yea -- Health class is the worst... I also hate "peer mediation" and the schools psycologists...

[Raineyrocks]

fsp-ohio, Thank you and apology accepted.  Sorry for jumping all over your post like that it just put me on the high-defensive.  Everybodys been great on this board, shoot, Michael got me good and I had no problem admitting it!  I love it when we can talk, without really knowing each other and be so open and honest, I just hate finger pointing (my quirk, I guess).

[thinkliberty]

One make the teachers abide by the same rules. (Take out the soda machines!)

Coffee with sugar or artifical sweeters should be banned as well!

[Rosie the Riveter]

One make the teachers abide by the same rules. (Take out the soda machines!)

Coffee with sugar or artifical sweeters should be banned as well!

haha